Floor covering and method of making same



Dec. 9, 1930.v c ELUS 1,784,801

FLOOR COVERING AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME F iled Dec. 2, L926 FELT. PAPER, an. sup om'.

NlTROCELLULOSE, arc. menu.

FELT, PAPER ETC SUPPORT.

:wumtoc Patented Dec. 9, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE cnRLEToNnLLIs, or MONTCLAIR, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR To ELLIS-FOSTER COMPANY,

A ooarorm'rron or NEW JERSEY FLOOR oovnnmo AnnME'rHon or MAKING SAME Application filed December 2, 1926. Serial No. 152,310.

This invention relatcsto floor coverings,

and to the process of making same, and relates especially to floor coverings of a composite character, that is, built up of layers stances. In addition there may be present or strata-of dissimilar composition.

As an under layer or primary supporting member, I prefer to use whatmay be termed saturated felt, that is, a felt or web ofcloth or paper impregnated with pitch or asphalt.

Attached to this primary supporting ma-- In carrying out the process of the present invention I prefer to make a composition containing nitrocellulose dissolved in a volatile solvent and incorporated with filling material of a resilient character. Thus I may employ ground cork, wood flour, ground wood, linters, and the like, as filling suban antacid substance such as urea or amines or various mineral bodies suchas zinc oxide, r

zinc hydrate, zinc carbonate,chalk, whiting, marble dust, magnesium oxide, especially the form known as lightoxide of magnesia, magnesium carbonate, and other mineral substances capable of neutralizing acidit with-- out acting destructively on nitrocellu ose.

In one phase of the invention I also employ resinous substances in conjunction with nitrocellulose, using preferably synthetic resins 'of a character. compatible with pyroxylin. Thus, I may employ thetarious glyceride or glycol resins, as set forth in variousof my cope'ndingapplications, as for example, Serial Nos. 144,647,142,532, 137,380 and 117,152. 1 The introduction of'these syn thetic resins into the nitrocellulose composition tends to increaseresistance to alkalies, soap and water, and the like, and also assists in causing thefloor covering to remain flat on the .1100! and not to curl up at the corners, In application 142,532, filed Octoher 18, 1926, compositions are claimed which include nitrocellulose and other cellulose esters and protecting resins, particularly those if the oil-acid type. In application, Serial No. 144,647,-filed October 27, 1926, the claims are directed to resins and process of making such resins by the use of distilled or heat treated fatty acids, and particularly the utilizationof such fatty acids in the production of resins of the phthalic glyceride type.

In Serial No. 137,380, filed September 23,

1926, the claims are directed to films which serve as coatings for a supporting article, such films comprising for example pigmented sub-stratum, and a further stratum which comprises a nitrocellulose composition including a synthetic resin of the oil fatty acid phthalic glyceride type, or other synthetic resin compatible therewith. In Serial No. 117,152, filedJune 19, 1926, the

claims are particularly directed to coating compositions including'nitrocellulose particularly of low viscosity incorporated with-a volatile vehicle of a blush forming character, the compositions also including a resin which overcomes the blush-forming characteristics of the solvent, the coat-in composition yielding a substantially non-blushin coating.

Another addition is a plasticizer or softener for the nitrocellulose. Thus, I may add substances such as diethyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate, diamyl phthalate, acetin, dicresyl phosphate, diphenyl phosphate, and boiled or blown castor oil, blown rape oil, fatty acids of egetable oils, and the like.

The con itions in making floor covering differ substantially from those involved in producing lacquers. A floor mg of the saturated felt type is rolled for shipment and when used isunrolledand must be sufliciently pliable to flatten out when laid on the floor and not remain elevated at the corners or edges. The surface must not be slippery and should be elastic and have a cushiony feel when one walks upon the floor covering. Nitrocellulose compositions employed in making lacquers are usually too hard and,

brittle for this purpose.

Since the dpitch, asphalt, blownpetroleum residues, an the like, employed in impregnating or saturating the so-called felt base or supporting member are very easily softened and melted by heat, it is not feasible to apply the tread composition with the application of heat, or at least to employ temperatures which would have a pronounced softening effect on the nitrocellulose composition. For example, if temperatures such as those used in sheeting celluloid were employed in the present instance the asphaltic material would be melted and squeezed out of the felt base. The tread composition of the present invention therefore preferably is applied in the cold, or at a temperature not sufficiently high to impair the quality of the saturated felt. In order to make application in the cold I employ solvents to dissolve the nitrocellulose together with plasticizers, synthetic resins, and the like, which may be used, and incorporate the filling material with such nitrocellulose composition. Suflicient filler is added to make a mass which practically will not flow, but will yield under pressure of the fingers and has sufiicient coherence to allow sheeting through ordinary milling or sheeting rolls.

. For this purpose differential rolls preferably 1 are employed, that is, one roll, usually the one with which the plastic mass is in contact, is rotated at a higher speed than the other.

The sheet or web of the saturated felt-thus may be fed in a continuous manner through rolls of this character, while the plastic mixture is being constantly applied to the rolls as it is used and carried away by attachment as a thin smooth sheet to the surface of the saturated felt.

It is -important to avoid the use of saturated felt which contains oily substances that would prevent the adhesion of the nitrocellulose composition. Also, it is desirable to avoid the use of solvents which would dissolve the asphalt and discolor the sheeted tread.

While I may employ various recognized nitrocellulose solvents employed in lacquers, and the like, including butyl and amyl alcohols, their acetates and other esters, and various diluents such as toluol, xylol, and petroleum hydrocarbons, I prefer to avoid these high boilin nitrocellulose solvents of a relatively costly nature and use cheap highly volatile solvents. This does not preclude the use of the aforesaid heavy solvents and any of the extensive series of nitrocellulose .solvents classed as high boiling. Most of these high boiling solvents, however, besides being expensive have strong odors. and while such solvents will evaporate readily from a thin film such as a lacquer coating, and the odor will thus disappear rapidly, this is not apparent in the same degree in the case of sheeted material as the porous fillerpreferably used absorbs these solvents and their evaporation from the relatively thick layer of sheeted material is quite slow. Consequently the odorpersists.

The effect is the. more aggravated when the tread is built up of several layers of sheeted material. That is, one layer is applied and when dried sufiiciently to be firm, a second layer is sheeted thereon and this operation continued to whatever extent desired, so that two or more layers of sheeted creased due to the larger drying chambers,

more heat required and other requirements.

Inthe present invention in its preferred form I may employ highly volatile solvents such as acetone, methyl acetone, denatured acetone, methyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, ethyl acetate, isopropyl acetate, and the like.

sible to use nitrocellulose non-solvents of the hydrocarbon type, such as benzol or teluol, benzine, gasoline, and so forth. To the plastic composition containing such solvents, I preferably add a small amount of wax such as paraffin or ceresin wax, with orwithout additions of carnauba, Montau, or other polishing waxes. \Vith a small amount of the wax present and properly disseminatedv through the mass, evaporation of the composition does not take place quickly and the operators therefore have plenty of time to apply the composition to the rolls and sheet it onto'the saturated felt without having the material dry out to the point where it becomes too crumbly to be sheeted properly. Also, since the sheeting exposes, a large area to evaporation, the pollution of the atmosphere by the vapors of such voltaile solvents, were these free to escape readily, would be objectionable' to the workmen, besides also poss'ibly being a source of-danger from fire or- Also, at least to a certain extent, it is-posexplosion. The presence of the wax in the I sheeted plastic prevents rapid drying and enables such cheap solvents to be effectively employed.

On the other hand, an elevation of temperature only s'ligtly above room temperature,

causes the wax to lose its function of restraining the evaporation of the solvents in the sheeting composition and they thus may be readily removed by passing into a relatively compact drying chamber, from which, if desired, the solvent vapors may be withdrawn and carried to a solvent recovery apparatus.

Thus, the plastic sheeting composition is very slow drying at room temperature, but very quick drying at slowly elevated temperatures, as for example, at temperatures somewhat above 100 F. and therefore, the beneficial efiects of a powerful solvent for nitrocellulose, as for example, acetone, may be secured without any substantial loss by evaporation during the operation of sheeting.

Furthermore, since these volatile substances may be readily expelled from the sheeted material when the temperature s raised a few degrees, the odor of the solvent is quickly eliminated and the unpleasanteffects of residual solvent of the high-boiling character referred to above, do not obtain.

VVhile wax has been used heretofore in making compositions for removing paint and varnish, and While wax has been added to. varnishes to obtain flatting effects, I am, so far as I am advised, the first to have utilized wax in the manufactureof fioor coverings to retain volatile solvents in a semi solid -nitrocellulose composition intendedto be applied to a saturated felt base or other appropriate supporting web or fabric.

nthe case of the paint and varnish remover the object of the application is to soften and remove a coating, whereas, in the present invention I am utilizing the wax to build up a coating. The employment of wax in oil varnishes to obtain a fiatting effect has not been very successful owing to the fact that the varnish becomes too slow drying. Thus, it will beevident that the wax employed in my composition accomplishes a re sult quite difi'erent from that demanded or expected in the other uses referred to.

Thewax also appears to improve the spreading or setting qualities of the composition, and furthermore,when the coating is dry. and the same if desired is put through a burnishing roll, a better polishing effect maybe obtained when wax is present in ap- .propriate amount, especially when a portion of such wax is carnauba, Montan, bees wax, shellac. wax, or similar high melting point and polishing waxes, If hot burnishing is required the saturated felt portion may be protected by placing beneath it in the burnishin roll a plate or web of asbestos, cloth or t er heat insulating fabric, and not employing a temperatureor a period of exposure to the .hot roll'su'flicient to softenand dislodge the asphaltic impregnating ,materia A The floor covering made with a tread sheeted on as described, whether polished'by running through a burnisher, or by waxing, lacquering, and the like, is ready for use. It is,

' however, either of a plain uniform color, e. g.,

brown, blue,- green, red, and the like, depending upon the pigment added, or may be mottled by using plastic compositions in two colors and adding lumps of each along the (1) Inlays may be formed in the tread.

as described in my copending application Serial No. 148,112, or

(2) The required design may be printed on the surface by means of' a printing roll or printing press. For this purpose, I prefer to use what may be termed a nitrocellulose ink, that is, a composition of a thick consistency, approximating that of printing ink and containing pigment.

Since nitrocellulose solutions dry rather quickly in thin layers, and therefore would very quickly gum the printing roll or type employed, I may likewise employ wax in the nitrocellulose ink to prevent the rapid evaporation of the solvents from this coating medium. In the present case it is not so desirable to use highly volatile solvents such as those mentioned above, as the odor of the high boiling solvents more quickly escapes tates, secondary hexyl acetate, ethyl lactate,

diacetone alcohol, mesityl oxide, and the like,

may be used, Furfural, a good nitrocellulose solvent also may be employed more particularly when the darker shades of the printing medium are to be applied. A small amount of wax, say, 1 or 2 per cent, or less, dissolved in the nitrocellulose medium, provides the means of regulating the rate of evaporation and by retarding it to the desireddegree, enables the composition to be used as a printing-out medium. In'the rotary press the degree of retardation of evaporation need not be so great as in the case of the horizontal presses which usually have to be of considerable length .andcarry huge wooden imprinting forms to which the coating composition is applied. A horizontal press of this character may contain ten or more of such/huge imprinting means, each carrying a ih lparate color and working alternately as e web feeds forward along the press, so that a finished design is ultimately formed on the surface of said web and it isv then ready to pass into a drying chamber to eliminate the solvent. So much surface is exposed to the printing-out compositionfin these large presses of the horizontal type, that evaporation, if rapid, would be a 'very disturbing factor which would tend to seriously clog the imprinting plates. The introduction of the wax makes possible the coatin of the surface without the disturbing I e ect of objectionable evaporation, also, it

prevents the escape of solvents in the operating room, at least to such an extent that a serious hazard to health would result.

The wax which I prefer to employ is mineral wax, namely; paraflin and particularly ceresin wax, the latter being amorphous, is less likely to crystallize in solution or in the surface of the finished material.

Since the presence of wax may tend to cause a flatter finish, that is, less lustre of surface, I may treat the dried printed floor covering by passing it through a burnishing or polishing roll, or may lacquer the surface with a transparent lacquer, or treat it in any other appropriate way to improve the surface finish.

The printing-outprocess described in the foregoing may be conducted on the tread sheeted as described into contact with the saturated felt. Or, in some cases, the sheetcd tread may be omitted and the printing-out process applied directly to the saturated felt base. In this manner the durable effect of nitrocellulose may obtained directly on the saturated felt. While I have specifically mentioned hearier solvents employed with the wax in such printing-out processes, the use of cheaper and more volatile solvents likewise with wax is not precluded.

A cheap-solvent medium for nitrocellulose and one which is slow of evaporation and also has very little tendency to cause discoloration through bleeding of asphalt from the saturated fibrous web is made by treating acetone with a small amount of alkali. The vehicle may contain diacetone alcohol, mesityl oxide and other condensation products. This vehicle can he used to dissolve nitrocellulose, with or without synthetic resins, and with a sufiieient amount of pigment to supply a medium for use 'on printing blocks to form the designs or patterns on the tread side of the felt. Such condensation products of acetone are quite slow in evaporation and therefore may be used without wax, or, if desired,

- a small amount of paraflin or ceresin wax may be incorporated.

The term non-oily as used herein, means that the surface of the saturated felt is free from greasy or oily exudations from the asphaltic or blown oil constituents of the web,

affording a. surface on which nitrocellulose solutions will spread and to'which when dried,,

nitrocellulose with pigment, plasticizer, synthetic resin, and the like, will adhere firmly. If an oily, greasy surface exists there is danger that the coating applied by the printing blocks, or'the sheeting applied by the rolls wtill be poorly adherent and will flake off quickly under service conditions.

I The terms-saturated felt, or saturated felt base, saturated fibrous web or webbing, used herein all refer to strips or pieces of fibrous material of appropriate strength e. g., absorpstated. in terms of lacquer viscosity measurements and containing approximately 40 parts of denatured alcohol, so that the net weight of he celluloid nitrocellulose was 100 parts, was mixed with tricresyl phosphate 133 parts, and a solvent mixture 190 parts. The latter was made in the proportion of 3 parts of acetone to 2 parts of cracked gasoline having a boiling point of 1G0 C. The mixture was thoroughly agitated until a good solution resulted, whereupon 175 parts ground cork (about 80 mesh). 75 parts whiting, 25 parts chrome green, parts acetone, and 5 parts of paraiiiu wax dissolved in some of the solvent .was added. After thorough mastication in a erner Plieiderer mixer, the semi-solid plastic resulting was sheeted onto one side of strips of saturated felt, by means of differential sheeting rolls. This was carried out at room temperature, and it was observed that the plastic shected readily and did not dry up quickly. On the other hand, when to make a thicker tread. The adhesion was good. Likewise, by drying and passing through the rolls a third time with some of the plastic composition a third layer was ap-' plied to the tread. g

E wample 2.l40 parts by weight of celluloid cotton containing denatured alcohol, as

above, represented by 100 parts of the cotton, net weight, 133 parts dibutyl phthalate and 50 parts of sulphured cotton-seed fatty acid phthalic glyceride resin dissolved in a .mixture of equal parts of beuzol and ethyl acetate were well mixed until the nitrocellulosc was dissolved. 25 parts green pigment, 175 parts ground cork, 75.parts of whiting and 5 parts of ceresin wax, dissolved in a small amount of benzol, were added. After thorough mastication in a vVerner Pflet'derer mixer, the semi-solid plastic was sheeted on saturated felt to form a floor covering material.

The sulphured resin referred to was made by reacting 49 parts glycerol, 80 parts phthalic anhydride and 45 parts denatured III cottonseed fatty acids, carrying the temperatureto about 240 0., to produce a resinuous substance which was dissolved in a solvent composed of approximately equal parts ben- 201 and ethyl acetate and treated with sulphur mouochloride in an amount equal to 1 part by weight to 100 parts of the foregoing resinous n'iaterial. By such sulphur treatment the melting point of the resin was raised somewhat and the slightly tacky qualities which it previously possessed disappeared. A small amount of magnesium carbonate was added to the solution to neutralize any free hydrochloricacid and the resin employed in the above composition, as stated.

E wampZaBP-A printing composition was made from zinc oxide 20 parts by weight, Prussian blue 1 part, cottonseed fatty acid phthalic glyceride resin 10 parts. nitrocellulose (high viscosity) 10 parts. dibutyl phthalate 6 parts and acetone condensation products boiling 87160 C. 100 parts. The nitrocellulose and resin were first dissolved in portions of the acetone condensation product, then admixed and the pigments and other ingredients added. With this composition it was possible, using a wooden printing block, to print designs on a saturated felt base, hoth directlv on the untreated saturated felt and also on felt which had been given a coat of varnish or lacquer. The acetone condensation product was found to be fairly slow drying at room tem erature. but when heated in an oven at 40 C., drying took place fairly rapidly in the thin layers resulting from printing.

Earamyfle 4.-Cellul0id nitrocellulose 10' parts and cottonseed fatty acidphthalic glvceride resin 10 parts were dissolved in a mixture of 100 parts of volatile solvent composed of 3 parts acetone to 2 parts benzol.

designin colors on saturated felt. 'It wasfound that the composition did not dry rapidfly, but remained moist, so that printing could The paper employed for.sheeting purposes 5 the felt base through mllhng rolls onwhich 18 .was situated a quantity of the 'plastlc mass.

be earned out very readily. Evaporation of the solvent from the coating applied by such printing block progresses very slowly at room temperature, but on exposing'to a tem-.

perature of 40 C. the solvent is readily removed.

may ca ry fireproofing salts, colors, agents conferrlng'flexibility and the like.' Low cost,

. however, is usually an important considera tion and preferably I employ a-cheapgrade of paper, for example, one made'from a mixture of sulphitepulp and ground: wood. To

achieve water resistance without going to the expense of loading the paper heavily with waterproofing'agents, e. g., asphalt or pitch,

.and furthermore, to keep the paper layer light in color when tread material of a light shade is to be applied, I mayadd to the paper pulp in the beater engine a small amount of a wax emulsion. Thus with the aid of only 1 per cent of paraflin wax on the weight of the finished paper I obtain important waterproofing results without producing agreasy or oil surface to which the tread composition woul have poor adherence.

The method of making such paper forms no part of the present invention. (Some of the processes available forthe purpose are.

represented by U. S. Patents 1,607,517, 1,607,518, 1,607,519, and 1,607,552 all of November 16, -1926.)

The use of waxed paper to which nitrocellulose tread coatings are adherent yielding suitable floor coveri'ngs'does, however, form a part of the present invention.

Thus I have employed five grades of paper made by adding wax emulsion to paper pulp Rosin 2 per cent.

Rosin 3 per cent.

(1%) Rosin only, 2-1.2 per cent. Beaten, m. 3 ours.

This paper material was not smooth calendered, but was made with a slightly uneven surface assisting in giving the tread composition a better attachment.

. l The tread layers showed excellent adherence to the paper which had been waterproofed with emulsified wax despite the re-' pellant nature of wax on nitrocellulose.

- Example 5.-Rag paper or felt saturated g with asphaltic material was used as the support. The thickness of the-saturated felt was 1.6 mm.

' parts by weight'of'celluloid nitrocellulose containing 40 parts alcohol, was mixed 1 with 133 parts dibutyl phthalate, 80 parts acetone, 60 parts benzol, 2.5 parts ceresine wax (previously dissolved. in benzol) parts ground cork, 125 parts whiting, 75 parts The latter was of the consistency of a stiff putty and sheeted readily on the felt base and the composite material was dried at 40 C.

for one hour, then the opposite side was 'green pigment. This mixture, owing to the 1g sheeted in situ in a similarmanner and in this way a duplex or reversible floor rug was secured of about 3 mm. thickness.

The following will illustrate the employment of wax containing paper (and nonwaterproofed paper) which have characteristics differing from saturated felt.

E mample 6.Paper of the quality designated above as A was sheeted on one side with a tread composition similar to that used in Example 5.

On the opposite side a mixture of brown color was applied. This was made from 50 parts of nitrocellulose 'seconds viscosity, parts nitrocellulose one-half second viscosity, 133 parts tricresyl phosphate, 200 parts secondary butyl acetate, 150 parts ground cork, parts whiting. In this manner a reversible floor rug was obtained of a fine green color on one side and a soft brown on the other side. The paper employed was,

about mm. thickness and the resulting floor covering was slightly over 2 mm. in thickness.

EzeampZe 7.-Paper of the grade B mm. in thickness was sheeted on one side only with a composition of the character given in Example 5. This produced a green tread and a waxed paper bottom. The thickness was 1.35 mm.

Example 8.Paper of grade 0 was sheeted with green composition of the formula used in Example 5, the tread mixture was applied to one side only. The floor covering had a thickness 0131.9 mm.

E mampZe .9.The same green composition was more heayilysheeted on paper of grade E. The thickness of the latter was 0.5 mm., and the thickness of the resulting floor covering was 2.25 mm.

E a ample 10.Paper of the character given above as grade D and having a thickness of 0.5 mm. was sheeted on one side-with green ,composition of the type used in Example 5, and after drying the opposite side was sheeted with composition of brown color,

.described under Example 6. The resulting floor covering was 2.14 mm. in thickness.

Example 11.Instead of using a waxed paper core or inner layer carrying a tread on either side I may proceed as follows:

Manila paper 0.3 mm. thickness has applied to each side a tread composition same as used in Example 5'. The thickness of the rug or floor covering was 2.5 mm. in the product made in this manner.

Example 12.100 parts 40 second nitrocellulose, 50 parts cottonseed fatty acid phthalic glyceride resin, 163 parts tric'resyl phosphate, 400 parts secondary butylacetate,

175 parts ground cork, 100 parts whiting. This was applied to Manila paper 0.3 mm. in thickness, sheeting on one side only to give a brown tread- The finished product.

was 1.03 mm. in thickness.

Ewample 13.To the composition employedas a plastic in Example 12, 25 parts of green pigment was added and this mixture was sheeted onthe opposite side of a portion of the floor covering obtained in accordance with Example 12. A duplex rug I resulted, the tread on one side being brown and on the other sidegreen.

Finally I call further attention to utility of synthetic resins compatible with nitrocellulose and exerting a protective influence on the latter. See co-pending applications 148,112 and 150,387.

A series of resins having such a proteccomprising said binders.

A series of such protective resins set forth in Serial No. 142,532 are the following, proportions parts by weight:

(A) Linseed phthalz'e gyleem'cie res-in Glycerol 94 Phthalic anhydride 160 Fatty acids of linseed oil Heated to 250 C. for about 2 hours. Light brown resin, acid number 20.2 compatible with nitrocellulose and soluble in butyl acetate. (5452) (B) 00tt0nseed phthalio gZg eem'de resin Glycerol 94 Phthalic anhydride 160 Fatty acids of cottonseed oil 80 Heated to 240 C. about 4 hours. Light brown'resin, acid number 22.4 compatible with nitrocellulose and soluble in butyl acetate. (5453) (0) Blown rapeseed phthalz'c glyeem'de resin Glycerol r; 94 Phthalio anhydride 160 Fatty acids of blown rapeseed oil 80 -Heated to 260 C. for 2 hours.

well with nitrocellulose. (5438) (D) Soy a bean phthalz'e glyceride ma Glycero1 Q. 94 Phthalic anhydride 160 Fatty acids of soya bean oil 80 5 stances, such as wood pulp, sawdust, bagasse,

perature of 265 C. Brown, transparent resin,'melting point 71 0., acid number 17.2. Soluble in butyl acetate and blends well with nitrocellulose. (5135) I (E) Benzoie phthalz'o glycem'de Benzoic acid 98 Phthalic anhydride 118 Glycerol- Q4 Heated to 230 C. within A hour. A vacuum of 28 inches was then applied and the temperature slowly raised to 290 C. Prodnet is a pale slightly tacky resin of acid number 16.6, soluble n ethyl and butyl acetates 1 and compatible with nitrocellulose. (F) Benzoic nitro-benzbz'c phthalz'c g lg oeride resin- Glycerol 94 Phthalic anhydride 118 Benzoic acide containing about 10 per cent p-nitro-benzoieacid 98 Heated to 280 C. in 2 hours. Dark colored resin, acid number. 18.8. (5439) (G) Castor-oz'ZLphthaZia glycol resin Mixture ofabout equal .parts ethylene and propylene glycols "104 Phthalic anhydride --160 Castor oil 80 Heated to 2409 C. in 1 hours. Pale, soft, stickyresin, acid number 15.3. Soluble in butyl acetate and compatible with nitrocellulose. (5301) (H) Qaster oil phthalio glycerz'de resin "Glycerol 94 Phthalic anhydride 160" Castor oil 80 tion of a plasticizer, in some cases, may be adm xed in an appropriate solvent with fill- Heated to about 235 C. gave pale resin, acid number 12, soluble in butyl acetate and compatible with nitrocellulose. (5098) This resin differs in several respects from those resins described above made with the acid of the free fatty acids of vegetable oils (viz A, B, C and 1)).

Resins of this character incorporated with nitrocellulose of high or low viscosity, or mixtures of these, and with the further addi ers ofquite varied character, including those above mentioned, and various fibrous subexploded wood, and the like. Pigments may be added or substances which neutralize acidity. In the present invention I preferably employ an antacid or neutralizingsubstance' such as chalk, carbonate 'of-lime, zinc oxide,

and the like. When pleasing color effects are desired, zinc oxide may be'employed in considerable proportion, strong lakes or other pliggients being added to tint to the requisite s e,

As illustrated in the drawing, in Figure 1, a felt. paper, or other type of support as described above is shown, carrying a-tread composition 2. which tread composition may be of any of the characters referred to hereinabove and may include nitrocellulose containing compositions, or the other types of compositions referred to in the specification. In the modification shown in Figure 2, the

' felt, paper, or other type of support 1, carries side an adherent figured coating comprising pigment, nitrocellulose and a smallproportion of wax. I

3. A- non-curling, self-flattening floor covering of non-oily waterproofing agent saturated paper support, carrying on the tread side an adherent figured coating comprising pigment, celluloid-nitrocellulose and a small proportion of wax.

4. .A floor covering comprising waterproofing agent saturated paper-support, carrying aprinted design in color containing nitrocellulose, plastlcizer, pigment and wax.

5. A floor covering comprising a support ing material consisting of paper webbing saturated with asphaltic bodies carrying on the tread side a printed design in color containing nitrocellulose, a synthetic resin compatible therewith, a tricresyl phosphate, pigment and wax. 1

6. A non-curling floor covering of water-.

proofing agent saturated paper webbing free from repellant oily material and carrying on the tread side an adherent flexible figured coating comprising nitrocellulose, a synthetic resin compatible therewith, a pigment and a small proportion of wax.

7. A floor covering of waterproofed paper webbing free from repellant oily material and carrying on the tread side as an ornamental design an adherent flexible coating comprising nitrocellulose, cottonseed fatty acid phthalic glyceride resin, a pigment and a small proportion of a mineral wax.

8. Afioor covering comprising a flexible paper backing waterproofed with asphaltic material free fromoils repellant to nitrocellulose and carrying a tread compositioncomprising nitrocellulose and a synthetic resin compatible therewith.

9. A floor covering of waterproofing agen saturated paper supporting a tread composition containing nitrocellulose and a synthetic resin, together with pigments, fillers and antacids compatible with both the nitrocellulose and the synthetic resin, said saturated paper containing no repellent ,pils acting on the nitrocellulose or the synthetic resin to cause separation of the tread from the saturated.

paper.

CARLETON ELLIS. 

